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2022–2023 University of Sheffield protests

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2022–2023 University of Sheffield protest
Occupation in The Diamond holding up a banner that reads "Arms companies off campus"
Occupation in The Diamond building
Date24 October 2022 (2022-10-24) – September 2023 (2023-09)
Location
University of Sheffield
Goals
  • 2022–2023: University to cut ties with companies involved in arms manufacturing (Rolls Royce, BAE Systems and Boeing).
  • 2023–2023: Solidarity with ongoing UCU strikes
Methods
  • Occupation
  • Online activism
StatusEnded
Parties
  • Sheffield Action Group (Students), Sheffield Solidarity Group (Students)
  • University of Sheffield

The 2022–2023 University of Sheffield protests were student protests at the University of Sheffield in England. The protests ended in October 2023.

Background

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The protests was in reaction to the University of Sheffield working with and accepting payment for various activities from companies including Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, and Boeing who are involved in the arms manufacturing industry.[1][2]

Timeline

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2022

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Occupations

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On 24 October 2022 Sheffield Action Group occupied the faculty of engineering's "The Diamond" building at the University of Sheffield.[1] The group held up banners in support of removing companies involved in the arms industry from campus.[3][4] In response to the occupation, the university relocated all teaching activities to other venues around campus.[5][6] On 28 October 2022 High Court enforcement evicted the students from the building.[7]

Hicks Building occupation

On 24 November 2022 Sheffield Action Group occupied the Hicks Building in solidarity with the University and College Union, and to continue to demand arms companies be removed from campus.[8]

2023

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Occupations

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Jessop West occupation

On 12 February 2023 the group occupied the Jessop West building,[9] and on 15 February 2023 they occupied the Hicks Building again,[10][11] later expanding to occupy five buildings.[9]

On 28 September 2023 around 7 pm 20 students occupied Arts Tower, both in protest against arms companies on campus and in solidarity with the ongoing UCU strikes.[12] The occupation is currently ongoing.[13][14] Classes due to take place in this building are being relocated or ran online, and the university HR department has been disrupted as a result of the occupation.[15]

Incidents

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  • During the Diamond Building occupation in 2022, security reportedly locked occupying student's personal belongings away, including medication.[16]
  • During the Hicks Building occupation in 2022, security locked fire exits and doors.[17]

Investigation

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The university has been criticised for its handling of the occupations after two students received letters on 9 November 2022 stating that the university has hired private investigation firm Intersol Global to look in to possible involvement in the occupations.[18] The university spent £39,615 on the investigation in total.[19] Both students were able to prove they were not in the city. They believe they were profiled for earlier activism work.[20][21]

The university was again criticised for using another firm, Horus Security Consultancy Ltd, which provided the university with information about a at the university group called Solidarity Slate.[22]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Sheffield students are occupying The Diamond to protest the uni working with arms companies". The Tab. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Masked students occupy university building in protest over alleged arms company links". Yorkshire Post. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  3. ^ "There's no place for arms companies at our university". Now Then Sheffield. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  4. ^ "No, You Won't Use Our Campuses for Military Recruitment". jacobin.com. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Masked protesters occupy building in Sheffield in anger over alleged 'arms company links'". The Star. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Arms trade protesters who have occupied a building say its owners 'refusing to engage' with them". The Star. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  7. ^ "UNI THREATENS VIOLENCE TO EVICT US". Twitter. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Sheffield students occupied The Hicks Building in solidarity with striking lecturers". University of Sheffield. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Sheffield students occupy five university buildings". The Courier Online. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  10. ^ Ost, Connor (15 February 2022). "Student occupation expands to Hicks Building". Forge Press. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Students 'occupy' Sheffield University building in protest over cuts". ITV News. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Sheffield students resume campus occupations to protest university's arms industry links". University of Sheffield. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Students seize Arts Tower to protest Sheffield University links with arms manufacturers". Now Then Sheffield. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  14. ^ Harrison, Harry (30 September 2023). "Sheffield University Arts Tower: Students occupy UK's tallest education building in arms trade protest". The Star. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  15. ^ Hibbs, Robin (30 September 2023). "Students occupy Arts Tower, asking university to 'start thinking with compassion and not with money'". Forge Press. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  16. ^ "SECURITY HAVE LOCKED OCCUPIERS' BELONGINGS AWAY". Twitter. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  17. ^ "Student occupiers claim they were 'locked' in The Hicks Building by university security". University of Sheffield. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  18. ^ Hall, Rachel (13 March 2023). "Sheffield University criticised for hiring private investigator after protest". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  19. ^ "University of Sheffield paid private investigators £40,000 to look into student occupations". University of Sheffield. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  20. ^ Goodall, Reece (29 March 2023). "Sheffield University criticised for hiring "private investigator to spy on their own students"". The Boar. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  21. ^ "Student left 'suicidal' after Sheffield hired private investigator to look into occupations". University of Sheffield. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  22. ^ Hyde, Nathan (28 June 2023). "University criticised for using private investigators to gather information on students". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
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